Aya (given name)

Aya is a unisex name with multiple meanings in many different languages. In Old German, Aya means "sword". Aya (あや, アヤ) is a common female Japanese given name meaning "design", "colorful" or "beautiful". Aya is an Arabic feminine name written as آية meaning "wonderful", "amazing", "miracle" or "verse". Aya (איה) is also in use in Hebrew and means "to fly swiftly" or "bird". In Amazigh it means "moon", from Ayyur ⴰⵢⵓⵔ the god of the moon in Amazigh mythology. In Mongolian, similar to Turkish, it means "goodness", "music", and "melody". In Chemehuevi, Aya means "tortoise". In Baoule on the Ivory Coast, Aya is often given to a female born on Friday. In the Raute language of Nepal, Aya refers to one's sister-in-law. The word originates from the Proto-Tibeto-Burman ’ay (alternate form yay) meaning "mother". In the Urdu language the word Aya refers to bees, caretaker, or nurse for young children. Typically in Pakistan ayas work in early childhood centres or primary schools. In Turkish-Altaic mythology, Aya symbolizes the good soul. All the seventeen types of benevolent angels who live in the sky are also called Ayas. They are seen as the source of abundance and creativity on Earth. The word comes from Ay ("moon" in Turkish). Ayaçı means "creative soul". There are several alternative spellings including Ayah and Aiya. There is also an African Adinkra symbol called an Aya, which is a fern. It is a symbol of endurance and resourcefulness.